How Did It Begin For You?

[Al1988]

As a relative newbie to this community it has taken me some time to get a feel for the place and as of late i've noticed a divide between vintage and modern Rolex opinions. This got me thinking the other day, how long ago or rather how did your love of vintage begin?

Was the vintage of today your modern of the day? By that I mean, when you first entered the world of Rolex, what was a modern Rolex? Was it a Sub 5513, was it a Daytona 16520, is it currently a GMT 116710? What were the latest models when you began?

Do you think if all the variations of the Daytona for example, ranging from the early cosmograph models down to the latest 116520, were available to you as brand new models in production from day one you would instinctively be drawn to what we now consider Vintage?

Or rather do you think experiencing the current crop of modern Rolex first hand was necessary for you to then appreciate the history of the current line up and move towards vintage?

I personally did not see the appeal of vintage until I was 'enlightened'. I bought my first real watch, one can say at 17, an Omega Seamaster. I chose it over a Sub 16610 as at the time I preferred the look of the Omega. However, less than a year later I found myself drawn to many different Rolex models. I bought my first Rolex, a GMT II 116710 and then a Sub Date 16610 at the ages of 19 and 20 respectively. Even after purchasing my 116520 Daytona I still did not find myself attracted to vintage models. Sure, I appreciated them, I read their histories with awe but I still didn't like them.

Fast forward 6 months and I find myself lusting after more vintage pieces than I can ever dream of owning. Yet I don't see myself entering that world for a long time as I just don't know enough, I have a certain fear shall we say about taking the plunge and I think that it takes a certain maturity, or rather experience within this world to fully appreciate it now.

So to cut this short (apologies if i've bored you), how did it begin for you? I don't think I would have grown to appreciate the quality and history that are vintage Rolex unless I had experienced what I consider modern Rolex. As someone who didn't grow up with what we now consider to be vintage, as the modern of my day, I find the experiences of those of you who did to be ever more fascinating!

[Racer X]

For me, it began when I first saw a picture on TRF of a 1680. I saw the big tritium plots, the matte dial, and the thick plastic crystal and I was hooked.

[Yazo]

The day I saw a 62XX Daytona... it was love @ 1st sight!!

[sub300t]

Seeing Roger Moore wear his 5513 in "Live and Let Die"!

[conrail]

I had a modern Daytona and then on a whim my buddy bought his birth-year sub, a 1980 16800. The matte dial in person and how slim and clean the case was really did it for me. So stunning, pictures couldn't capture the beauty.

That was about 6 months ago, and I haven't looked to buy a modern since, and probably won't again.

How can you after wearing these vintage pieces we have!?

[HL65]

For me it started 24 years ago or so. I had a nice collection of old Subs and Daytonas and made the worst mistake of all- I traded them-ouch!! I am back on track now but could kick myself for what I let go over the years! For me- there is nothing like vintage Rolex- the PNs and rare Subs get me the most for sure! What a habit.......

[therolexguy]

A friend's 1675 from the late 60's.....that red and blue had me at "hello".

[bluemartinifan]

Started with a few of my Dad's old Elgins, then a plexi Caravelle diver for $65 - then a modern speedy pro with hesalite (I was convinced I loved the soft look of plastic) - then sold a 16710 and bought a 16750.

[SLS]

My first four Rolex were modern, I then stumbled across a 5513 that was in dire need of attention. Sourced some matching hands, insert, bracelet and had it serviced. Loved the look, and after that I was hooked!
Scott

[Frogman4me]

I started with Modern, I purchased a preowned 14060 and I really enjoyed it. My next Rolex was a 116710 which I wore and sold in less than 4 months. I always liked vintage anything and once I saw a photo of the 1665 DRSD it was a wrap. I sold my 14060 and few of my other watches and began saving. I started reading books, researching on the net and participating in the vintage forum and that was all she wrote. Its vintage today, tomorrow and forever!

[eparisini]

It started when I was a boy looking at the Sub at the wrist of one of my father's friends, so I told to me: One day i'll have one at mine wrist!

[adt]

it all started with the "black" rolex models, drawn to them because they were different. after that, more and more reading led a few more modern models but "pop" once the vintage 1675 PCG got slapped on my wrist that was the end of the modern and black era. now a insane vintage nutter!

[Rolex tom]

my grandads, it was vintage then

[lupus]

I read the famous review on the modern expl1...

[KarlFr]

Sean Connery's 6538 sub!

[shat]

My vintage affliction started in 1977 when I bought my first Rolex, a 1675 NIB for the Subic Bay RP Navy Exchange for $425.00. I still have and wear the watch (with box, papers and price sticker still on the box). Since then I have a 2005 sub TT, a 1803 yg with presi bracelet and a Cartier manual plain men's tank gold Argent le Must traditional with blue stem and black hands on white and black factory lizard deployant bracelet. Very chick. I love the feel of my vintage the most!

[jdc]

Down partly to cost, and mostly because I liked older watches better than modern ones. Bought a 50's Omega bumper then a Rolex 50's Oysterdate. My modern watch was a eight year old 16710 and I have bought a 80's Tudor sub since. I think there is better value in second hand/vintage and to my eyes most vintage have better esthetics.

[adam78]

It started when I was a tyke in the mid-'60s.

Here I am with my Dad and his no-crown-guard Sub:



I didn't get a Rolex of my own until I was in my early '40s, and it was a bubbleback. That wasn't so long ago (5 years)...

[oldbronco]

I was a watch buyer until I discovered vintage & became a watch collector. vintage just have more panache. except for a couple of modern pieces that were gifts, I sold all the rest & became vintage only. btw, half the fun of vintage is the hunt.